Underwater breathing apparatus



March 26, 1963 M. w. TAYLOR UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS Filed March 4, 1960 lAl/fNT MHX W. TAYLOR, B) W,%LM

ATTORNE/s 3,082,766 Patented Mar. 26, 1963 ice 3,082,766 UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS Max W. Taylor, 165 (lhateau Drive, Florissant, Mo. Filed Mar. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 12,872 4 Claims. (Cl. 128-145) The present invention rel-ates to apparatus for supplying air under water, particularly to apparatus which will supply air to a person who is underwater but within reach of the surface of the water. I

The invention introduces apparatus for assisting the breathing of the underwater diver that comprises a compact combination of elements carried entirely by the diver. The combination includes a breathing mouthpiece, a valve box, an air reservoir, and an air container. The invention operates under the principles of air and water densities with particular emphasis on the diiference between the two. The breathing apparatus is under the complete control of the diver.

The apparatus is intended for use by a diver who is under water, but who is in a position of access to an external air supply. Normally, the diver will be treading upon the floor of a body of water with the surface of water within reach of the air container when that container is raised by the diver. The container is designed so that when it is raised above the surface of the water, the water within the container will drain out and will be replaced by air.

There is an air reservoir carried upon the back of the diver that is larger than the container, and the reservoir is connected to the container by tube means. When the container is lowered below the level of water in the reservoir, the pressure of the water upon the air in the continer will torce that air into the reservoir. One way valve means preclude the air from returning from the reservoir to the container. Thus, by the process of vertically reciproca-ting the container, the reservoir can be repeatedly charged with air until it is filled.

Between the mouthpiece, through which the diver inhales and exhales, and the reservoir is a valve box. The valve box is strapped onto the chest of the diver with the tube that connects the reservoir and the valve box passing over the shoulder of the diver. The air inlet to the valve box is below the level of water in the reservoir so that air normally will not flow from the reservoir to the valve box, but will require some external force to accomplish that purpose. This external force is the inhaling force that is transmitted through the mouthpiece to create a partial vacuum within the valve box. This partial vacuum causes the water pressure upon the water in the reservoir to force air into the valve box where it is available to the diver.

The valve box has a valve for expelling air that is exhaled by the diver, and the tube that connects the valve box to the reservoir has valve means for precluding the passage of air from the valve box to the air reservoir.

In addition to the foregoing, the air reservoir has valve means that are normally open when there is air in the reservoir but that close the tube to the valve box when the air within the reservoir is exhausted. By means of this valve, no water passes through the tube to the valve box so that the breathing of water by the diver is precluded.

The foregoing summary of features of the invention are a few of the advantages and objects of the invention. Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an underwater breathing apparatus which is compact and wholly within the control of an underwater diver and which includes an air reservoir with reciprocable means for charging the reservoir with to be stored for breathing.

A subsidiary object is to provide such an underwater breathing apparatus with a reciprocating means [for charging an air reservoir with air, in which the reciprocating means is so weighted that by employing the principles of water buoyancy, the reciprocating means is very lightweight in the grasp of the diver.

Another object of the invention is to provide an underwater breathing apparatus having a valve box that is adjustable in position and in which the breathing force necessary to inhale air from the air supply within the reservoir is determined by the position of the valve box.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an underwater breathing apparatus which has check-valve means for precluding the inhaling of water by the diver.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an underwater breathing apparatus having means for expelling the exhaled air in such a way that the possibility of having exhaled air breathed in again by the diver is greatly minimized, if not eliminated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the detailed description to follow.

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view in perspective, with parts broken away, showing the underwater breathing apparatus of the present invention' FIGURE 2 is a view in section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 2--2 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings, since the air reservoir is carried on the back of the diver, and since the remaining elements of the underwater breathing apparatus are connected to it, that reservoir might well be described first. The reservoir is designated generally by the numeral 10. It comprises a relatively large tank 11 having an open bottom 12 and a top 13. As can be seen in FIG- URE 1, the tank 11 is generally cylindrical in shape. Of course, it will be appreciated that the shape of the tank 11 is not critical.

The bottom 12 of the tank '11 may be completely open or partially closed. The essential feature is that a passage on the lower side of the tank be provided for the flow of water into and out of the tank 11.

The reservoir 10 includes a small can-shaped structure 15 mounted on top of the tank 11. The connection between the tank 11 and the can v15 is fluid-tight as may be accomplished by welding, soldering or other well-known means.

As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the can 15 is open at its bottom end, and there is a passage 16 through the tank 11 in communication with the can 15, so that fluid can flow readily between the tank 1 1 and the can 15. The remaining details of the valve mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 2 will be explained later.

The air reservoir 10 is mounted upon a plank 19 which is preferably constructed of wood or plastic. Conventional mounting means may be employed. Also mounted to the plank '19 are a pair of weights 20 and 21 to counteract the buoyancy of the air-filled reservoir 10. The magnitude of the weights 20 and 21 may be varied as desired.

Strap means 22 and 23 are attached at 24 to the plank 19 and are used to secure the plank 19 and the air reservoir 10 to the back of the diver.

The air reservoir is filled by means of an air container, designated generally by the numeral 26. The container 26 includes a can 27 having a closed top 28 and a funnelshaped lower end 29. There is a hole 30 through the bottom of the can 27. Water can flow through the hole 3t). There are two ports 31 and 32 through the top of the container. 27 for the passage of air into the container. Each of the ports 31 and 32 has a one-way valve 33, shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 1, to prevent any fluid from passing out of the can through the ports 31 and 32.

There is an actuating handle 35 that is held by the diver, and the handle 3-5 is connected to the can 27 by bracket 36. The actuating handle 35 is preferably hollow so that it can be conveniently weighted. It is desirable that the container have a slight tendency to sink in Water While yet being light in the grasp of the diver. Preferably, therefore, weights (not shown) are chosen for the handle 35 such that about two pounds upward thrust by the diver will counteract the sinking tendency of the container 26. There is an air outlet 33 through the top of the can 27, and a hose 39 connected to the outlet 38. The hose 39 connects into the small can 15 or" the air reservoir through an air inlet 40. There is a one-way valve 41 in the hose 39 (shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 1) that permits air to pass through the hose from the container 26 to the reservoir 10 but not in the reverse direction from the reservoir 10 to the container 26.

The can of the air reservoir 10 has an air outlet 44 through its top, and connected to the air outlet 44 is a flexible tube or hose 45. The other end of the flexible tube 45 is connected into a valve box 47, and there is a one-way valve 48 (shown diagrammatically) that permits the passage of 'air only in the direction from the can 15 to the valve box 47.

Another tube 50 is connected to the valve box, and there is a mouthpiece 51 at the end of the tube 50 having small breather holes 52in it.

An air outlet valve 54 is connected to the valve box in communication with the interior of that box, and the valve 54 permits the passage of air out of the valve box 47 only.

It can be observed, therefore, that by means of the valve box 47, air can pass from the reservoir 10 through the tube 45 to the valve box, through the one-way valve 48. This passage of air is caused by the partial vacuum created in the valve box 47 when the diver inhales through the mouthpiece 51. As the diver inhales, the air which has been introduced into the valve box 47 through the one-way valve 48 passes through the tube 50 to be breathed by the diver. This air will not pass through the external valve 54 because of the suction pressure through the tube 50.

When the diver exhales through the mouthpiece 51, the air exhaled passes through the tube 50 and into the valve box 47. This air cannot pass through the one-way valve 48, so its only path of escape is through the valve 54.

The valve box 47 must be mounted below the air outlet of the reservoir so that air will not escape from the reservoir through the tube 45, into the valve box 47 and out the valve 54. In actual use, the valve box 47 is mounted against the chest of the diver. In that position, it can be mounted below the air outlet 44 of the can 15. The mounting means for the valve box 47 are not shown, but they are conventional, and such mounting means as straps may be employed.

It should be observed that the suction pressure that must be imparted to the mouthpiece 51 to obtain air from the air reservoir depends upon the height of the valve box 47. Therefore, the separate mounting of the valve box 47 is an important feature of the invention because its height of attachment to the chest of the diver can be regulated by each individual diver who uses the underwater breathing apparatus according to the breathing comfort which that diver desires.

Returning now to the can 15 of the air reservoir 10, and particularly to the valve means illustrated in FIG- URE 2, it will be appreciated that some means for preventing the passage of water from the air reservoir 10 to the valve box 47 is highly desirable. A valve 56 within the can 15 and in communication with the tube 45 accomplishes that purpose.

s can be seen in FIGURE 2, there is in communication with the end 44 of the tube 45 a valve seat 57 which is in the general shape of a partial sphere. The open end 58 of the valve seat 57 is directed downwardly.

At the lower end of the can 15 is a screen mesh 59 covering the opening 16, and a ball or sphere 60 normally rests upon the screen 59 unless raised by the buoyant pressure of water within the can 15. Actually, the screen 59 serves the dual purpose of providing a floor to limit the downward movement of the sphere 60 while inhibiting the passage of foreign matter from the tank 11 into the can 15.

The sphere 69 is heavier than air so that when the can is filled with air, the sphere 60 will rest upon the screen 59. However, when the air within the reservoir 10 has been breathed out through the valve box 47, without the reservoir 10 having been re-charged, the water which replaces that air through the bottom 12 of the tank 11, and through the hole '16 in the tank 11 will cause the sphere 60, which is lighter than water, to float upwardly with the rising level of the Water. When the air within the can 15 is almost exhausted, the ball will seat within the hemispherical shaped seat 57, thereby closing the opening 44 of the tube 45. Thus, the diver will not breathe water through the tube 45 when the air within the reservoir 10 has become exhausted.

The use and operation of the underwater breathing apparatus will now be described. As has already been explained, the air reservoir 10 that is mounted upon the weighted plank 19, is strapped to the back of the diver. The valve box 47 is strapped to the chest of the diver, with the air inlet 46 always located beneath the water line within the tank 11, and certainly below the air outlet 44. Beyond the foregoing requirement, the vertical position of the valve box relative to the air reservoir may be adjusted according to the individual breathing comfort of the particular diver using the apparatus.

The handle 35 of the air container 26 is held by the diver in a generally vertical position so that the container 26 can be alternately raised and lowered, and the apparatus is designed for use such that the container 26 can be raised above the surface of the water body.

It is the container 26 that is used to charge the reservoir 10 with air. Thus, each time the container 26 is raised above the surface level of the water, air can enter the container through the ports 31 and 32 as any water within the container escapes through the port 30 at the bottom of the container. The one-way valves 33 prevent the escape of the air once it has been introduced into the container. Because the density of air is less than that of water, the air will always be trapped at the uppermost part of the container with the pressure of the water being asserted beneath the air. Likewise, because of this difierence in density, as the container 26 is raised, water will be the first fluid to escape through the outlet 30. Once air has been trapped within the container 26, it can be transmitted to the air reservoir 10 merely by lowering the container 26 to a position such that the air outlet 38 is below the water level within the reservoir 10. At such a position, the pressure of water beneath the air within the container 26 will be greater than the pressure of water beneath the air in the reservoir 10. Under these pressure conditions, the air will be caused to pass through the tube 39 and the one-way valve 41 into the air reservoir 19. The one-way valve 41 prevents the air from returning to the container once it has entered the reservoir 10. As is true with the container, the air within the reservoir will remain at the uppermost portion of the reservoir because it is less dense than water.

By rapidly raising and lowering the container 26 the air reservoir can be charged with air, so long as the container 26 is filled with air and then lowered far enough that the pressure of the water beneath the air within the container is greater than that beneath the air in the reservoir.

The diver can breathe air from the air reservoir so long as it contains enough air to keep the sphere 60 away from the seat 57. The operation of the valve 56, the valve box 47 and the mouthpiece has already been explained.

Various changes and modifications may be made within the process of this invention as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising a container having an air inlet passage, an air outlet passage adjacent the upper end of the container, and a water outlet passage adjacent the lower end of the container, an air reservoir having an air inlet passage connected to the container air outlet passage and a water outlet passage adjacent the lower end of the reservoir, the container being vertically movable relative to the reservoir so that, when lowered, air can flow from the container to the reservoir, a hose and mouthpiece connected to the upper end of the reservoir for transferring air to the user, valve means for preventing the transfer of air from the reservoir air inlet passage to the container air outlet passage and one way valve means for admitting air into the container when it is raised. 1

2. Apparatus of the type described comprising a container having an air inlet passage at its top and a water outlet passage at its bottom, there being one-way valve means in the air inlet passage for preventing the escape of air from the container, an air outlet passage at the top of the container, an air reservoir adapted to be strapped to the body of an underwater diver, an air inlet passage adjacent the top of the reservoir and connected to the container air outlet passage, there being one-way valve means for preventing the passage of air from the reservoir to the container, an air outlet passage adjacent the top and a water outlet passage adjacent the bottom of the reservoir, a feeder box, an air inlet passage to the feeder box and connected to the reservoir air outlet passage, a one-way valve for preventing air from passing from the feeder box to the reservoir, an air exhaust passage from the feeder box, a tube connected to the feeder box at one end thereof, means at the other end of the tube for permitting the diver to breathe air in and out through the tube, the air breathed out being exhausted from the feeder box by the exhaust passage.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the reservoir comprises a container having an element attached to the air outlet, the element being shaped as a portion of a hollow sphere opening downwardly, and a ball that is heavier than air and lighter than water being positioned for seating within the element so as to block the air outlet passage when the reservoir fills with water.

4. Apparatus ofthe type described comprising an air reservoir adapted to store air under water, an air inlet to the reservoir, an air outlet from the reservoir, and a water outlet from the reservoir, means for introducing fresh air into the inlet, and means for selectively withdrawing air through the air outlet, the air introducing means comprising a manually reciprocable air container for trapping air and subsequently delivering the air to the air reservoir, the inlet and outlets being so arranged that when air is withdrawn from the reservoir it will be replaced by water through the water outlet and when air is introduced through the air inlet it will force water out of the reservoir through the water outlet, means for preventing water from passing through the air outlet, and means for transferring air from the reservoir to the user.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 638,392 Hensley Dec. 5, 1899 639,790 Strattner Dec. 26, 1899 2,652,831 Chesler Sept. 22, 1953 2,725,876 Maille Dec. 6, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,001,147 Germany Jan. 17, 1957 

4. APPARATUS OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING AN AIR RESERVOIR ADAPTED TO STORE AIR UNDER WATER, AN AIR INLET TO THE RESERVOIR, AN AIR OUTLET FROM THE RESERVOIR, AND A WATER OUTLET FROM THE RESERVOIR, MEANS FOR INTRODUCING FRESH AIR INTO THE INLET, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY WITHDRAWING AIR THROUGH THE AIR OUTLET, THE AIR INTRODUCING MEANS COMPRISING A MANUALLY RECIPROCABLE AIR CONTAINER FOR TRAPPING AIR AND SUBSEQUENTLY DELIVERING THE AIR TO THE AIR RESERVOIR, THE INLET AND OUTLETS BEING SO ARRANGED THAT WHEN AIR IS WITHDRAWN FROM THE RESERVOIR IT WILL BE REPLACED BY WATER THROUGH THE WATER OUTLET AND WHEN AIR IS INTRODUCED THROUGH THE AIR INLET IT WILL FORCE WATER OUT OF THE RESERVOIR THROUGH THE WATER OUTLET, MEANS FOR PREVENTING WATER FROM PASSING THROUGH THE AIR OUTLET, AND MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING AIR FROM THE RESERVOIR TO THE USER. 